about

colts and girls

Webletter no 2

Preston Nomads Cricket Club

WebLetter No. 2, November 2017. First Co-ordinator:Keith Pitt

This second WebLetter comes at a time of great change in the structure and management of all league cricket in Sussex starting in 2018. As a result much of this edition is devoted to the changes and their effect on our teams.There is a contribution of importance to scorers and umpires because of the many changes to the MCC Laws of Cricket which came into operation on 01 October 2017.

NOMAD OPPOSITION FOR 2018

PN1Premier; PN2D3 East; PN3D5 Central; PN4 D8 Central.

Notes

In D3 East there are 6 second XIs and 4 first XIs.The first XIs are Portslade, Crawley Eagles, Burgess Hill and Seaford.

In D5 Central there are Ashdown Forest and PN3 with 4 ESCL and 4 WSICL teams.

In D8 Central there are 4 WSICL teams and 6 MSCL teams.

Post of eLetter Co-ordinator:The Club is looking for a new volunteer coordinator as the present coordinator is retiring.Please contact Clare if you can help.

CHAIRMAN’S END OF SEASON REPORT

Off the pitch the Club had to deal with the Home Office and ECB regulations on overseas professionals and Tier 5 visas. Despite frequent communication with both organisations, the outcome was that Carl Simon, after many years of service to the Club, would not be permitted to play in the UK as an overseas player. The outcome was that our club had to apply to be registered as a Tier 5 sponsor for overseas players, a process which has created a whole new industry, additional cost and time taken up complying with Home Office legislation. At least the Club is now set up for future years in this area (until the next Home Office ruling).

We had prepared a dinner in Carl’s honour at the County Ground before we found out about the visa ban.The Home office fiasco happened at the very time we had prepared for Carl Simon’s last season with a dinner in his honour at the County Ground just before the season started. We were delighted that Carl came over as a tourist for a week Carl’s speech was very moving, heartfelt and surprisingly long! It was a pleasure for all present to have the opportunity to thank Carl for everything he did for the Club both on and off the pitch during his years with Club. We all hope Carl takes full advantage of his ECB Level 2 coaching qualification back in Antigua.

I would like to recognise the achievements of David Symes and Justin Schildkamp in captaining the 3rd XI and 4th XI respectively in the Mid Sussex league, where the 3rd XI and 4th XI were runners up in their respective League which was especially important this year. Major changes are coming in Sussex League cricket from 2018 with a single pyramid structure in which the final league position will determine into which division of the Central Section the teams would be placed for 2018. Congratulations to Brian and his team on the delivery of a North and South Ground that are the envy of all other clubs. Brian has been awarded groundsman of the year for 2017 from the Sussex Cricket League.

Off the pitch, the Club has, for some time, had to consider what organisational structure would be the best for us in the future. There are complex issues the Committee have had to grapple with, but we are clear that to remain as we are is not an option. We are working, with much support, on converting the Club to a Charity. There are many steps to go through to achieve this and we will have a limited time in which to achieve this. Our AGM will take place as usual at the end of January but immediately below this article is a message from the Club Secretary giving notice of the necessary Emergency General Meeting for this purpose.

In reference to the AGM, I can confirm that I will not be standing as Chairman of Preston Nomads CC in 2018, due to pressure of work. I remain passionate about our Club and proud that it is the only Club for whom I have played cricket.

David Thompson, Chairman October 2017

EMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING

Please all note that we are holding an EGM on Tuesday 5th December at 7:30pm. The meeting will be at The Hove Club, 28 Fourth Avenue, Hove, BN3 2PJ and the bar will be open.The meeting is regarding Changing the Constitution of Preston Nomads Cricket Club into a Charity.Please put the date in your diaries.

Clare O’Brien, Club Secretary

OUR SPONSORS 2017

Sincere thanks are once again offered to all our sponsors, IEP Financial, Wilson Sandford, Hayward & Green, LeumiABL, Deepdene School, Sussex Print Management, and the 100+ club who continue to support our Colts cricket. We were also pleased to welcome Cheetahs Gym as a sponsor for 2017.As a Club, we need to ensure our sponsors are promoted effectively throughout the Club and we support their business just as they support our Club.

David Thompson, Chairman, October 2017

NEWS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

After the huge disappointment that Home Office rules prevented Carl from playing a final season for Preston Nomads, the Development Team Working Group worked tirelessly to turn this setback into a benefit event worthy of his fabulous service to the Club over twelve years.

A huge thanks to Riggy who led the team energetically to make the evening of 21st April at the County Ground such a memorable event. In his reply to the presentation, Carl gave us a speech that was not only entertaining, but articulate and hugely passionate – right from the very heart of a true and special Nomad.

The make-up of the 1st XI is exercising the Development Team in the close season. The final points total didn’t do the side justice, but we all know we strive for competing for the top positions and this year we fell short.I know that Jason was disappointed that the Academy players didn’t challenge for promotion from Division 3, but 5th place and being comfortably the leading 2nd XI side in the entire league (by 46 points), for the third year running, is a creditable achievement.Congratulations to the 3rds and the 4ths on being runners-up of Divisions 1 and 2 respectively of the Mid Sussex League. 2017 was another successful season for the Club in fielding young players in the senior sides and those players making major contributions.

The Colts had another bumper year, with considerable success which Kash reports on below but, from the Development Team and the entire Club, a massive thank-you to all of the colts managers, coaches and parents who put in hard work, ability, passion and organisational skills to provide the Club with the best possible future outlook.

Finally on 2017, a huge thanks to Taron and brother Sakib on running the Sunday side, sometimes a thankless task (raising the side), but also very rewarding and fun, as I was reminded in a rare Sunday outing this season. In 2018 we will do more to encourage all of the senior players to play at least one game through the season.

Cricket, like – well, most things is in a time of considerable change and, for us, it is a New Pyramid Structure incorporating the Sussex League, the West Sussex Invitation League, the East Sussex League and the Mid Sussex League. We believe that this is good for cricket, good for Sussex cricket and good for Preston Nomads as we seek to raise our standard at all levels.

Below Premier and Division 2, sides will be placed geographically (East and West for Divisions 3 and 4; East, Central and West for Divisions 5 through 11 and it gets more complicated for Divisions 12 through 14, though this won’t impact us). The Preston Nomads sides have been placed as follows:

Preston Nomads Cricket Club Development TeamGraham Watson November 2017

NOMADS FIRST X1 2017

Carl's benefit dinner, was a huge success and well supported by Nomads and other clubs within the Sussex League. On behalf of Carl and the Club I would like to thank everybody for their generous support.Craig Alexander, our new South African Overseas player, settled in very well. We also welcomed into the ranks two new signings, in the shape of Nathan Poole, who had an excellent first season with Nomads including a fine century against Middleton, and young leg spinner, Will Collard in some early games during the school holidays. He proved a very capable and mature bowler, delivering an impressive display of controlled leg-spin bowling against East Grinstead in the National Knockout and a 5 for against Bexhill.

Our season was hampered largely by three weather affected games. A frustrating toss loss v Brighton and Hove meant we batted first on a very wet wicket and then the limited overs match v Cuckfield was abandoned when we were dominating them in the first 50 over section. In order to compete more effectively in the new dual format of 50/50 Overs and Time cricket, we need to ensure we win the close games and be more ruthless in our approach to the match and training. One day cricket reduces margins for error and with the points on offer they can create some big gaps to close when the time cricket arrives in the middle part of the season. It seems the new format has encouraged some sides to be afraid to lose in the middle time cricket matches due to the uncertainty of the 50 over format results. This is something we need to adapt to and combat next year.

We reached the final of the Sussex League T20 Cup again this year which resulted in us being beaten by a stronger Roffey side on the day who were better suited to the shortest format of the game.

Jeremy Green 1st XI Captain 2017

NOMADS SECOND XI 2017

2017 was the highest level that the 2nd XI had ever played at in the Sussex League. Division 3 was exceptionally competitive with Haywards Heath, Pagham, Chichester and Crawley Eagles all providing stern opposition. We stood up well but ultimately let ourselves down in limited overs games. Where more time was available, our spin attack came to the fore, but when we needed 5 bowlers, we were left wanting.

The most disappointing aspect was the lack of junior players due to other commitments and the overall lack of availability due to competing priorities. Using over 30 players during the season always means that you can’t gain momentum.

Jason Robinson, Second Team Captain, 2017

NOMADS THIRD ELEVEN 2017

What a season! Not only did we finish 2nd in the league, we won the T20 finals day at a canter. We had several new additions to the club and each and every one of them played their part; Not only was their ability apparent, but their mentality fitted in with the philosophy that we have at the club that once you’re a Nomad you’re always a Nomad. As satisfying as it was to finish 2nd, there was still frustration with what could have been after we lost some early matches and had some taken away from us by the weather. Beating the league winners twice is testament to the quality of the team I was able to call upon week after week. Next year we will need much of the same due to the change of the league structure which will pit us against some strong 1st teams from the East and West Sussex Leagues. Preston Nomads 3 is the highest placed 3rd XI in the structure and it will be a tough ask, but if this season is anything to go by we will hold our own.

David Symes, Third Eleven Captain October 2017

FOURTH ELEVEN SEASON REVIEW 2017

2017 proved another great year for the 4th XI in finishing 2nd in the Mid Sussex second division and obtaining back to back promotions. We went into the season hoping to consolidate our position in the higher league but we soon discovered that the standard was not as good as expected and this led to a string of good results. The team still had a core of senior players which was ably supported by several colts who significantly lowered the age of the team and brought youthful exuberance to the group. The club was generally stronger in numbers throughout the season and this certainly helped the 4ths to have another successful season and we look forward to playing at a higher standard again in 2018 in the new Sussex League Structure.

Justin Schildkamp, 4th XI Captain

SUNDAY CRICKET 2017

It was again a difficult season to raise a team but matches were played and hopefully enjoyed by ourselves and our opponents. Eleven fixtures were arranged, but two of these were conceded by the same club and two were abandoned.Of the others, six were won with just one defeat. All matches were played as overs games so there were no draws. Thanks must go to Taron for raising the teams and captaining the side and to his brother, Sakib who was vice-captain. Hopefully they will both be available next season.Finally we need more of our players, including colts, to play on Sundays when free.

Tony Doctors, Match and Fixture Secretary

A REPORT FROM THE COLTS’ MANAGER

This year we held all the colts training on Friday Nights. This meant Colts from U6 – U15 all training on one night.This was successful with both the parents and the club. Food and bar were very popular on this night.I have outlined below how well each age group did in the Sussex Colts Leagues.As a club we have had another successful year.

It was very pleasing that most of our U-15 and U-16 players played adult cricket this year.Also this year, we re-instated the girl’s cricket at the club, with Tara Norris as the coach. We are hoping to start again with the winter nets on Tuesday 16th January 2018 for 12 weeks from 6-9pm at the County Ground, Hove.

Colts Teams In 2017

Although two of our teams played very few matches due to bad weather, it was very successful.Three teams won their leagues and one came joint second.The U15s won their league and were unbeaten. They have consistently won every league since they were U10s. Congratulations.

Kash Ibrahim,Director of Cricket & Colts Manager

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SCORERS AND UMPIRES

Subject : Law Changes.A new code of the MCC Laws of cricket took effect from October 1st 2017.Two Laws have been removed, namely Handled Ball (Law 33) and Lost Ball (Law 20) The former now falls in to the category of Obstructing the field and Lost Ball is replaced by the calling of Dead Ball.Under the new Law 42 (Player conduct) a player may be suspended for a number of overs or for the remainder of the match. There are two new signals to indicate the type of suspension and five penalty runs will be awarded to the relevant side.No Ball:Where Byes or Leg byes result from a No Ball only the one run penalty will be debited against the bowler, the balance to be recorded in the Bye / Leg Bye in the fielding extras column.Scoring a Wide is unaffected.

Umpires and Scorers:Courses to update umpires and scorers on the law changes are being arranged for the near future;

It is vital that club captains and vice-captains along with club umpires, scorers, and coaches are fully conversant with the new laws in time for the 2018 season. There is a digital version of the new laws to be found onwww.lords.org.This is very clear and can be down loaded.The changes have been made in many aspects of the game.

Nigel Smith, Preston Nomads First Team Scorer November 2017

OBITUARIES

The Club is very sorry to have to announce the deaths of Joy Cranfield and Ian Nunn and wishes to express their sympathy to their families.Joy was a Vice-President who was often seen at Club functions.She had been unwell for some time.Ian, who died earlier in the summer was the Club’s last link to the Nunn Family who were involved in the Club from 1936 when his grandfather was one of the people who helped Spen to start the building of what is now the Spen Cama Memorial Ground in Fulking.